For several years, and particularly recently, we have been hearing or reading about “disruptive technology” or “disruptive innovation” in the supply chain. To many, the word disruption suggests some negative event. I can recall several notes from elementary school teachers informing my parents I was disruptive in class. It was not interpreted as a positive […]
There was plenty of excitement in the country last week. We now know that Atlanta and New England will meet in Super Bowl LI, and Amazon was awarded yet another patent, this time for a network that will manage a unique aspect of autonomous cars and trucks – how to navigate reversible lanes. Donald Trump […]
Last week, many trade publication web sites, as well as the Wall Street Journal, contained news about the BNSF Railway and J. B. Hunt entering into arbitration over revenue sharing. The negotiations relate to a 28-year-old agreement between the two carriers whereby J.B. Hunt transports containers to BNSF for intermodal transportation, and the parties split […]
As we approach a new year, many supply chain writers begin to float their predictions for the future, projecting what might happen to carriers, shippers, and other links in the supply chain. Accurate prediction always becomes problematic in presidential years; but this year it is a real challenge. After such a contentious campaign and surprising […]
As seems to happen more and more frequently, on December 9, 2016, only minutes before they adjourned, The House and Senate passed a continuing resolution that would avert the shutdown of the Federal government, at least until April 28, 2017. The bill extended the funding for most of the federal agencies and programs, ensuring that […]
Several months ago, I came across a Hewlett Packard Enterprise advertisement that opened with the following statements. “Tomorrow belongs to the fast. Winners and losers will be decided by how quickly they move from what they are now to what they need to become.” The concept being advanced of course, was technology; but these phrases […]
Probably not many of us noticed, but on February 8 of this year we entered the Chinese Lunar Year of the Monkey. As we approach the end of the year, it is beginning to look as if this Monkey year might be one during which we may see more supply chain changes than we have […]
Much to the surprise of political pundits and the country’s media, Donald J. Trump is the President – Elect. Ordinarily, we would be writing about what we might expect from the new administration; but right now it is anyone’s guess. The campaign didn’t tell us much. It was entertaining in a reality – TV kind […]
For a number of years, firms utilizing FedEx and UPS have experienced fairly modest annual increases of 3 to 5%. LTL increases have been in the same range, and the additional costs usually have been anticipated, begrudgingly accepted, and included in freight budgets. This year however, FedEx announced an additional change that can be somewhat […]
Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the addition of 156,000 jobs in September, a sign that the growth in the economy, although modest, continues to generate additional employment opportunities. In spite of this growth however, for-hire trucking lost 3600 jobs. Warehouse and storage positions rose 5300, and other transportation related jobs rose by […]